The Oxford University Undergraduate Law Journal

30/04/2024

Calling all Oxford University students! We are so excited to invite you to join our annual Publication Evening on the 10th of June, where we will officially launch the 13th Edition of the Journal! The evening will feature a fruitful discussion between two sitting UKSC justices - The Right Hon. Lords Briggs and Sales - moderated by Oxford’s very own esteemed Professor Ben McFarlane. Drinks reception will follow. RSVP via the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKyYPxnc1ceUcsp7aL2BdMwF71ddDyvqMbsMip9_JHQKxGsg/viewform
We look forward to seeing you there!

Please note: for those who are not able / eligible to attend in-person, the event will be live-streamed!

02/07/2023

In “No ‘exceptional’ test for vicarious liability in sexual abuse cases: a welcome conclusion by the Supreme Court in Trustees of the Barry Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses v BXB”, Athena Kam examines the doctrine of vicarious liability and advocates for principled limits on its scope.

The article explores and welcomes the Supreme Court’s affirmation of enterprise risk as the underlying policy of vicarious liability.

Check it out here: https://blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/oxford-university-undergraduate-law-journal-blog/blog-post/2023/07/no-exceptional-test-vicarious

20/06/2023

In this episode, Professor John Armour and Professor Thom Wetzer discuss their joint research paper, ‘Green Pills’ with Dorothea Oyetunde, and their role in making corporate climate commitments credible. In light of the move to transition to a net-zero economy, they discuss why corporate climate commitments must be credible.

In order resolve this issue of lack of credibility in corporate climate commitments, Professor John Armour and Professor Thom Wetzer discuss the need for their ‘Green pill’, a contractual mechanism which allows firms to deliver a degree of commitment that can be tailored to the firm’s circumstances. The adoption of the ‘green pill’ emphasises the important role that legal frameworks can play in resolving the societal challenges arising from the climate crisis.

Check the episode out here!: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0i5Frjf3ZJmeP88XV4rnQh?si=e6a609b2ae374514

15/06/2023

We are now accepting applications for the Editorial Board of the 13th Edition of The Oxford University Undergraduate Law Journal.

We are recruiting
- 1 Editor
- 3 Vice-Editors
- 1 Administrative Director
- 1 Publicity Officer
- 6-8 Associate Editors
- 4-6 Blog Editors

There is a wide-range of exciting roles on offer, allowing keen undergraduates to engage in legal discourse, gain practical experience of editorial work and liaise with prominent academics and Supreme Court judges.

Applicants must be undergraduates studying for the BA Jurisprudence degree, or BA in Law with Law Studies in Europe. Applications will not be accepted from students in their final year. Applications for Editor must not be in the penultimate year of their degree, as this is a high-commitment role. All positions are held on a year-long basis.

Applicants can apply to be an Associate Editor and a Blog Editor at the same time. If you wish to do so, please select both roles on the form below.

The application form can be found at tinyurl.com/OUULJ13EB. The deadline for applications is Friday 30th June. Satisfactory applicants for Editorial positions will be asked to undertake an editing exercise the following week. Successful candidates will then be invited to interview. We are excited to hear from you!

Apply for roles on the 13th Editorial Board here: tinyurl.com/OUULJ13EB. If you have any questions, please direct them to [email protected].

11/06/2023

A reminder that today is the last day to register your interest in attending Publication Night for the 12th Edition of the OUULJ.

This amazing event will feature a dialogue between Lord Hoffmann and Lord Neuberger, moderated by Professor Andrew Dickinson, entitled “Principles and Policy: Debates in the Law on Contractual Interpretation”. Register now to guarantee your seat and to celebrate the launch of our 12th Edition with us: https://forms.gle/gSHiFXRXkY1oYtr6A

07/06/2023

THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE LAW JOURNAL’S 12TH ANNUAL PUBLICATION NIGHT

To celebrate the Publication of our 12th Edition, the OUULJ is honoured to be hosting Lords Hoffmann and Neuberger for a dialogue entitled “Principles and Policy: Debates in the Law on Contractual Interpretation”.

Their Lordships, moderated by Professor Andrew Dickinson, will discuss their (well publicised) differing views on contractual interpretation and the implication of terms. They will also discuss how judges of the highest court apply judicial reasoning in hard cases, spanning more than two decades of cases in which their Lordships gave judgment in. Their Lordships will examine cases from ICS v West Bromwich to the more recent Wells v Devani, and consider how this will progress in the post Hoffmann/Neuberger era.

This will be an exciting event to celebrate undergraduate involvement in legal academia, supported by an address from the Dean of Law, Professor Mindy Chen-Wishart, and the presentation of prizes for the OUULJ’s best Public and Private Law Submissions, as well as for the Annual Essay Competition 2023.

Publication Night will take place in the Gulbenkian Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, from 2:45-5pm on Monday on the 12th of June (8th Week).

We highly encourage you to register quickly to reserve your seat - access the form here: https://forms.gle/gSHiFXRXkY1oYtr6A

24/05/2023

In ‘Implied Terms in the Supreme Court: Barton v Morris and another in place of Gwyn-Jones’, Associate Editor Somesh Taori analyses the contractual aspects of the recent UK Supreme Court decision in Barton v Morris and another in place of Gwyn-Jones [2023] UKSC 3.

Somesh criticises the approaches adopted in the dissenting judgments of Lords Leggatt and Burrows. He argues that Lady Rose’s majority judgment correctly applies the law on implied terms and reaches the appropriate outcome in light of the particular contractual context under consideration.

Read Somesh’s article here: https://blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/oxford-university-undergraduate-law-journal-blog/blog-post/2023/05/implied-terms-supreme-court

05/05/2023

A reminder that applications to become a Podcast Editor for the OUULP close today! Access the short form to apply on the linktree in our bio.

05/05/2023

THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE LAW JOURNAL ANNUAL ESSAY COMPETITION

The Editorial Board is excited to announce the prompt for this year’s annual essay competition.

This year, submissions will be asked to represent either counsel for the UK Government or counsel for the Scottish Government in considering the following question: ‘Is the Secretary of State entitled, under Section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998, to block the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from receiving Royal Assent?’

This is an exciting opportunity to explore current legal issues, with four prizes up for grabs. Furthermore, for those first years looking to apply for Editorial Board positions in MT24, this would be a great way to fulfil our requirement of a writing sample (although participation in the competition is not necessary for a successful application!).

Submissions are to be of no more than 2,500 words, and submitted to [email protected] by 23:59 on May 26th 2023 (Friday of 5th Week). The competition is open to all Oxford Law Undergraduates.

For more guidelines and information, visit the ‘Essay Competition’ section in our Linktree.

We are excited to read your submissions - best of luck!

02/05/2023

The first Oxford University Undergraduate Law Podcast of Trinity term has been released!

In this episode, Chen Ji discusses the historical foundations, politics and evolution of legal translation in the EU with Professors Alice Leal and Martha Bajčić. They also discuss the cultural impact of recent developments such as Brexit on the rule of English and the status of member state languages more widely.

Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/47EyzrkYQkPOEWFxSXwIVp?si=GirNS3L5SR2seQTzzWUc2A

23/04/2023

We are now accepting applications for the role of Editor of the Oxford University Undergraduate Law Podcast.

In this exciting role, the Editor of the OUULP is able to actively engage with legal discourse, interview prominent academics and create engaging content.

As this role runs from mid-TT23 to mid-TT24, we are ideally looking to recruit first year law students, but we welcome applications from undergraduates across all years. We are excited to hear from you!

Apply for the Podcast Editor role here: https://tinyurl.com/4zru7tdz

10/03/2023

In this episode Dorothea Oyetunde speaks with Professor Scott Hershovitz about his theory of 'Law as a Moral Practice', which is the title of his upcoming book, to be released in December 2023. Professor Hershovitz's book invites readers to re-conceptualize the way we understand the relationship between our legal obligations and our moral obligations, in an attempt to resolve the ongoing debates in jurisprudence as to how the law relates to morality and whether individuals have an obligation to obey the law.

Here is the link to listen to the episode: https://spotify.link/cNszjdEk2xb

30/01/2023

The Oxford University Undergraduate Law Journal is delighted to announce that Lord Hoffmann and Lord Neuberger will be judging submissions to the 12th Edition of our Journal.

Lord Neuberger will be judging the Private Law submissions, and Lord Hoffmann will be judging the Public Law submissions.

It is an honour to have their Lordships involved with our publication, and the Editorial Board looks forward to seeing the winning entries published in the Journal this year.

The 12th Edition of the Journal will be published in early June.

17/01/2023

In 'Apocalypse Now: climate change, eco-anxiety and Art.3 ECHR’s prohibition of degrading treatment', our Vice-Editor-in-Chief, Weronika Galka, takes a deep dive into how the law can face up to the profound effect of the climate crisis and eco-anxiety on potential victims.

Access Weronika’s article here!
https://blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/blog-post/2022/12/apocalypse-now-climate-change-eco-anxiety-and-art3-echrs-prohibition-degrading

17/12/2022

A reminder that the deadline for submissions to the 12th Edition of the Oxford University Undergraduate Law Journal is on December 31st.

We look forward to receiving your submissions!

11/12/2022

In 'Vicarious Liability: Slammed Brakes and Open Routes', our Vice-Editor-in-Chief, Sahil T., engages in a nuanced discussion of the law on vicarious liability following the UKSC decisions in Barclays Bank Plc v Various Claimants ("Barclays Bank") and WM Morrisons Supermarkets plc v Various Claimants ("WM Morrisons").

In light of those decisions, the article argues that there remain a few ways in which the courts can tighten both the coherence of the law and the judicial methodology which has forged it.

Click on the link below to access Sahil's article!
https://blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/blog-post/2022/12/vicarious-liability-slammed-brakes-and-open-routes

01/12/2022

We’re excited to announce the release of the third episode of this term on the legality of the UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership with Dr. Nicola Palmer.

In this episode, Dorothea Oyetunde and Dr. Nicola Palmer will discuss the legality of the UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership, which involves offshoring refugees to Rwanda. She will also discuss why the partnership has been reached with Rwanda specifically, the issues that arise from externalising responsibility for asylum procedure and the need to take into account considerations of Rwanda’s political context and foreign policy.

Dr. Palmer’s discussion highlights how the UK and Rwanda’s approach to border control reflects unequal global economic and geopolitical relations. She draws on the sociological foundations of systems of deterrence to explain how the UK’s general approach to asylum must be resisted on these grounds.

Find the episode on Spotify; https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ihv7hjlyvsUGftp622jsT?si=mT-5bmWKTbeFQXTaBmAU0g

29/11/2022

Here is a look at the material for the OUULJ’s writing workshop yesterday. Some great advice for those of you aiming to submit a piece before our deadline in December!

27/11/2022

A reminder to register your interest for our Academic Writing Workshop - taking place in the Law Faculty Building tomorrow afternoon.

The session will focus on what makes a great piece of academic writing, as well as being an opportunity to meet the OUULJ Editorial Board and hear what they look for in a submission to the journal.

Register your interest here:

The OUULJ invites you to join our Academic Writing Workshop on Monday 28th November from 1-4pm in the IECL Seminar Room of the Law Faculty Building. Please fill out this short form to register your interest!

24/11/2022

24/11/2022

In anticipation of the release of our third podcast this Michaelmas, here is a look into a recent discussion with Dr. Nicola Palmer.

The podcast concerns the legality of the UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership, and why the agreement has been reached with Rwanda specifically, taking into consideration Rwanda’s foreign policy and historical experiences.

Look out for the launch of our episode on Spotify in the coming days!

19/11/2022

The OUULJ is on social media - follow our pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with new blog posts and podcasts published throughout the year.

16/11/2022

We are excited to announce the release of our second podcast this Michaelmas Term!

In this episode, Chen Ji and Dr. Ewan Smith discuss and compare different power structures and methods through which limits are placed on state power.

Check it out on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0RgYvifP08aEPmkXMgkag5?si=56e813ece4564b9e

31/10/2022

In anticipation of the release of our second podcast this Michaelmas, here is a look into the recording of 'A Comparative Perspective on Rules which Govern Powerful Institutions' with Dr. Ewan Smith.

The podcast, discussing limitations on state power, codified and uncodified constitutions, and different doctrines of review in administrative law will be released later this week; keep an eye out for it on Spotify!

19/10/2022

The OUULJ is proud to announce the publication of its 11th edition! Here’s some photos from our publication night last Friday.

The OUULJ also warmly welcomes the Editorial Board for its 12th edition, and wishes them the best of luck.

18/10/2022

We are excited to announce the release of our first podcast for the year 2022/23!

In this episode, titled 'Canon Law, European Legal History and their Intersections', Chen Ji and Professor Mathias Schmoeckel discuss what we can learn from examining legal matters from a historical perspective.

Find this episode on Spotify in second week - Happy listening!

17/10/2022

The OUULJ is proud to present our newest honorary board member, Professor Andrew Dickinson.

Professor Andrew Dickinson is a Fellow and Tutor at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford. With a principal research area of private international law, Professor Dickinson is a member of the Mance Committee and an Honorary Senior Fellow at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. The OUULJ thanks him for his support.

16/10/2022

The OUULB is now accepting submissions!

We would love to read your submissions of
1. Opinion pieces, which advance a personal viewpoint on a current issue or debate in law; and
2. Current awareness pieces, which report on recent notable developments in legislation or case law.

We are currently accepting submissions from Oxford undergraduates and postgraduates.

Full requirements can be found at https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/ouulj/ouulb_blog

Please email any submissions, for the journal or the blog, to [email protected]

We are excited to hear from you!
The Editorial Board

10/10/2022

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 12th EDITION OF THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE LAW JOURNAL!

Please see attached our Launch Guide for 2022-23, and do get in touch at [email protected] if you have any further questions.

We look forward to hearing from you,
The Editorial Board

10/10/2022

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 12th EDITION OF THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE LAW JOURNAL!

Deadline: 31st December 2022

The Editorial Board for the 12th edition of the Oxford University Undergraduate Law Journal is now accepting submissions.

Staffed and edited entirely by undergraduates, the OUULJ is a unique opportunity for undergraduates to critique legal developments, play a part in jurisprudential discourse and have their thoughts published in a recognised law journal.

The oldest undergraduate law journal in the UK, the OUULJ has a long-standing tradition of publishing high-quality work, submitted by students from any university background. It also benefits from the support of a distinguished Honorary Board; this year, our Honorary Board is comprised of members of the judiciary, including Lord Neuberger and Lord Wilson, notable legal academics, such as Lord Pannick KC and Dinah Rose KC, and the Dean of the Oxford Faculty of Law, Professor Mindy Chen-Wishart.

Writing an article or a case note for the Journal is a rewarding way of expanding your depth of legal understanding, as well as gaining skills in academic writing or legal practice. Additionally, having a ‘Publications’ section in your CV is always a great way to stand out from the crowd.

For more information and a comprehensive list of guidelines for submission, please contact [email protected], or refer to our Launch Pack 2022-23. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

We look forward to receiving your submissions,
The Editorial Board